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President says reflecting pool and fountains will reopen before July 4 after renovations
Summary
President described cleaning and resurfacing work on the National Mall reflecting pool and 28 fountains, citing sandblasting, pebble blasting and a new blue surface and saying the pool would be finished well before July 4.
President described work to restore the National Mall reflecting pool and dozens of fountains, saying crews removed "10 major truck dumpsters of garbage," steam-cleaned and applied a thick blue surface meant to prevent leaks for decades.
"We have to you can't do the substance of the rain," he said of weather delays, but added the project is "probably 70% finished" and predicted it will last decades. He contrasted the current approach with earlier plans that, he said, would have cost hundreds of millions, asserting a much lower final cost for the current method. The president also said the administration had improved many fountains, refurbished Lafayette Park and planned a world-class park entrance to the White House.
Officials framed the work as a visible improvement to public space and civic ceremony ahead of summer events, and said maintenance will continue; reporters asked about schedules and prior cost estimates.
